Cheer Me On

Hi Mighties! 🌱

It’s been a bit of a tough few weeks for my brain. I’ve been taking in a lot of new information, carrying an increased load of responsibilities, adjusting to the seasonal shift (I tend to experience seasonal depression in the warmer months), and my birthday is coming up. None of these things are inherently negative, but they’ve felt overwhelming nonetheless.

I’m learning how to take better care of myself, especially since I haven’t been prioritizing it lately, which led to a panic attack this past weekend. I’m trying to incorporate more “me time” in ways that don’t feel like added chores. Lately, that’s looked like reading more and rewatching my favorite shows and cartoons.

What positive coping strategies have been helping you feel more balanced or manage your symptoms lately?

Please feel free to share below! 💡

#BipolarDepression #BipolarDisorder #PTSD #ComplexPosttraumaticStressDisorder #Schizophrenia #ADHD #Parenting #ChronicIllness #SchizoaffectiveDisorder #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #Anxiety #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #Depression #MentalHealth #Selfcare #EatingDisorders #CheckInWithMe #CheerMeOn

How was your March, Mighties? Let's check in and reflect on our mood tracking experience this month. 🙂🌳

What were some trends or patterns you saw come up? Have you learned anything new, reassuring, or interesting about yourself in the process of mood tracking this month? Is there anything you would like to improve or work on moving forward?

💡 Bonus: Feel free to also comment the color(s) that best represents your mood today as well. 🎖️

🟢 Green: Open-minded, creative, reflective
🟣 Purple: Happy, excited, grateful
🔵 Blue: Calm, relaxed, confident
❤️ Red: Anxious, alert, concerned, worried
⬛ Black: Angry, annoyed, frustrated
🧡 Orange: Stressed, overwhelmed
🟤 Brown: Tired, exhausted, drained
🟡 Yellow: Depressed, stuck, melancholy
⚪ White: Not sure if I can put my mood into words.
🌈 Rainbow: Other (share in the comments!)

#MightyMoodTracking #CheckInWithMe #Selfcare #MentalHealth #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #Disability #Autism #Fibromyalgia #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #Depression #Anxiety #BipolarDisorder #PTSD #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #Migraine #MultipleSclerosis
#CheerMeOn

NAMI Connection 55+ is for adults ages 55+ with mental illness or any mental health challenge. Develop coping skills, share common experiences, gain self-advocacy skills, and find community.

💻 If you'd like more information or would like to join, you can find the link here. Virtual groups are every 1st and 3rd Tuesday, 4 to 5:30pm Eastern Standard Time: naminycmetro.org/programs/nami-connection-55

If you have any questions, feel free to comment below!

#BipolarDepression #BipolarDisorder #PTSD #ComplexPosttraumaticStressDisorder #Schizophrenia #ADHD #Parenting #ChronicIllness #SchizoaffectiveDisorder #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #Anxiety #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #Depression #MentalHealth #Selfcare #EatingDisorders #CheckInWithMe #CheerMeOn

We’re on post 3️⃣ of exploring how creativity shows up in our lives, our health, and our overall well-being.

Today, let’s talk about the impact of the creative process and the projects we’ve worked on or created that truly mean something to us.

💌 Gentle note: Feel free to share projects that are still a work in progress, ones that were started but not finished, ideas you have, completed pieces you’re proud of, gifts you’ve made for others or yourself, or ongoing passion projects.

If you look at my name here on The Mighty, you’ll see SparklyWarTanks—the name of my blog, but also the name I gave to a major shift in my awareness and health back in 2015. I was experiencing a mental health crisis, and while grappling with my sense of self in a writing class I was taking at the time, that name came to me.

I was pushing against the norms and expectations I grew up with and wanted to become something different. I felt like I was in a battle with myself—my mind and my place in the world.

SparklyWarTanks became the gentle, compassionate, yet bold part of me that fought back, spoke up, and chose herself.
It’s been 11 years since then, and I still use my blog as a safe space to talk about my health, growth, challenges, and progress. I’m proud of staying true to myself. SparklyWarTanks is me. 🌟

#MentalHealth #Depression #Anxiety #CheckInWithMe #Fibromyalgia #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #PTSD #BipolarDisorder #Disability #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #CheerMeOn #ThePencilCase

As a health community, we often talk about what it’s like to receive unsolicited advice, suggestions, or tips from people who may not fully understand the extent of what we experience day to day—but still share what they think we need nonetheless. 😤

For today’s reflection, though, let’s think about the advice we’d actually want to receive. What self-care or mental health tips, ideas, or suggestions would genuinely feel helpful to you right now?

I’ll go first!
Some advice I’d really appreciate is hearing how people maintain their relationships and friendships while also managing their mental health. I’d also like to explore how others navigate challenging conversations around pet peeves and boundaries.

What about you? 💬

#BipolarDepression #BipolarDisorder #PTSD #ComplexPosttraumaticStressDisorder #Schizophrenia #ADHD #Parenting #ChronicIllness #SchizoaffectiveDisorder #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #Anxiety #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #Depression #MentalHealth #Selfcare #EatingDisorders #CheckInWithMe #CheerMeOn

Hi Mighty friends! 💎

What’s something you’re grateful for at the moment? It could be a person, place, idea, experience, item or product, opportunity, resource, or something specific or general.

Feel free to share with us below! ⭐

#MightyMinute #CheckInWithMe #CheerMeOn #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #Disability #RareDisease #MentalHealth #Anxiety #Autism #Parenting #PTSD #ADHD #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #BipolarDisorder #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #EatingDisorders #Depression #Fibromyalgia #Lupus #MultipleSclerosis #Migraine #Spoonie

One of the biggest lessons I've learned when it comes to caring for and prioritizing my mental health comes down to two things:

1. Knowing what is helpful for me and incorporating it into my regular routine.
2. Knowing what to avoid because it can be triggering or even harmful to my mental health.

As someone who thrives in spaces where I can be curious, explore, try new things, and take on challenges, it was difficult for me to realize that sometimes it's best not to engage in certain situations. One example for me is avoiding certain high-stress work environments or academic spaces. Even though I tend to be a high achiever and know I can succeed, willingly putting myself in fast-paced, high-stress spaces isn’t helpful for me and can trigger my anxiety and PTSD.

What about you? What are some things you avoid because of your mental health? What are some things you do instead because they feel more supportive or helpful?

#BipolarDepression #BipolarDisorder #PTSD #ComplexPosttraumaticStressDisorder #Schizophrenia #ADHD #Parenting #ChronicIllness #SchizoaffectiveDisorder #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #Anxiety #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #Depression #MentalHealth #Selfcare #EatingDisorders #CheckInWithMe #CheerMeOn

Something I want to be more mindful of when it comes to my mental health is differentiating between how my symptoms impact my energy and how they affect my overall daily tasks and to-do list. Because my conditions are considered “high-functioning,” it’s easy for me to keep pushing through, even when I’m struggling to keep up. Sometimes, I don’t even realize my symptoms are affecting me until I slow down and talk to my therapist.

What about you? How do your mental health challenges affect your energy levels?

#BipolarDepression #BipolarDisorder #PTSD #ComplexPosttraumaticStressDisorder #Schizophrenia #ADHD #Parenting #ChronicIllness #SchizoaffectiveDisorder #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #Anxiety #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #Depression #MentalHealth #Selfcare #EatingDisorders #CheckInWithMe #CheerMeOn